Filed under: Spy Photos , Crossover , Toyota Aside from its shiny new EV counterpart, there hasn’t been much happening in the world of the Toyota RAV4 . That’s set to change, though, as these spy shots indicate that a refreshed model isn’t too far down the pipeline. Just how refreshed will it be? Well, considering the fact that the RAV4’s last major redesign took place six years ago, we hope that there are some significant changes under all of that camouflage. We can already see some new design elements, including a front fascia that reminds us of what we see on the new Camry . Arguably, the current RAV4 is a pretty handsome little thing, but with more and more crossovers adding curvy lines, we wouldn’t be shocked if this new model gained a dose of rakishness. Well, as much as Toyota can muster, anyway. Other details remain slim, but expect the interior to get a much-needed update, likely incorporating features like Toyota’s Entune infotainment system. Under the hood, four-cylinder engines are likely going to be the driving force, including a rumored hybrid variant, but we won’t rule out the inclusion of the automaker’s 3.5-liter V6, as well. The new RAV4 will likely debut later this year in time for the 2013 model year.

Filed under: New York Auto Show , Spy Photos , Sedan , Toyota We got our first glimpse at what the 2014 Toyota Avalon may look like thanks to a an artists rendering that appears to take some creative license. The teaser really only shows us that Toyota wasn’t kidding when it said it was taking the Avalon upscale, with a dramatic, sloping roof line that conjures thoughts of the Audi A7 . The Avalon is only days from its world premiere on the big stage at the 2012 New York Auto Show , but we have some spy shots that tell us even more. The photos show us what we already knew; that the artist rendering isn’t exactly representative of reality. But the pics also show that the sleek roof line and vastly reworked proportions are very real. The Avalon prototype has enough protective cladding to give the Storm Chasers tank a run for its money, but we do see what looks like a very different front fascia, LED taillights and a pair of impressive chrome-tipped exhaust outlets. From the rear, we get a better sense of how the sedan will look, and it appears there may be some tape covering up the lines that would tell us if these prototypes are in fact hatchbacks. Spy photos were also taken of the reworked interior, but the insides were also covered up beyond recognition. We are able to see an attractive leather steering wheel and completely reworked redundant controls. We can also see expensive-looking french stitching above the gauge cluster, as well as upscale gauges themselves.

Filed under: Motorsports , Spy Photos , Coupe , Hybrid , Europe , Toyota , Racing The sudden departure of Peugeot from the Le Mans racing scene came as quite a shock, we know. But don’t count the inaugural FIA World Endurance Championship – or the famed 24-hour race at its center – out for the count before it’s even started, because another powerhouse is already gearing up to take Peugeot’s place. And that powerhouse is Toyota . The Japanese auto giant announced its plans to build and campaign a new LMP1 racer at Le Mans and the WEC back in October. Toyota Motorsport GmbH (which ran the company’s F1 team until its withdrawal in 2009) then set about designing the car, partnering with Team Oreca to help with the logistics of entering the pinnacle of endurance racing, and hired three top pilots to, you know, actually drive the thing. With all those pieces in place, the Toyota team began testing their new prototype racer last week at the Paul Ricard test track in France. Toyota itself didn’t release much in the way of details, but Alex Wurz was said to have led the shake-down, with his team-mates Nicolas Lapierre and Kazuki Nakajima on hand to share in the driving duties as well. And while no “official” photos were “officially” released, Toyota PR rep Scott Brownlee tweeted a couple of snapshots to whet our appetites. The result looks, predictably enough, much like the latest LMP1 racers fielded by Audi and the departed Peugeot, but as with most things, it’s what’s underneath the surface that will count the most. In Toyota’s sake, that would be a gasoline-electric hybrid drivetrain of some sort, but we’ll have to wait a little while longer – as the next round of testing and the car’s anticipated debut at Spa come May approach – to find out more.

Filed under: Coupe , Performance , Europe , Tokyo Motor Show , Toyota It’s no secret that the Toyota FT-86 will finally make its production-spec debut next week at the Tokyo Motor Show , and ahead of that, the automaker’s UK office has released the first official photos and some initial specs. In Europe, the car will officially be called the Toyota GT 86. In Japan, however, the car will simply be called 86. Cutting right to the chase, here are the specs that are now official, from the Toyota UK announcement. Obviously, there’s more to come: 2.0-liter boxer with D4-S injection (direct and port injected) 197 hp @ 7,000 rpm and 151 lb-ft (205 Nm) @6,600 rpm 6-speed manual or automatic transmissions 17-inch wheel/tire package standard 4,240mm (167 in.) long, 1285mm (50.6 in.) high, 2,570mm (101 in.) wide 53:47 front-to-rear weight distribution 475mm (18.7 in.) center of gravity As demonstrated in the photos, everything is basically in line with what we’ve seen so far in the various leaked materials . So, start getting excited. In addition to the sharp styling outside, the interior looks the business, and the “86” fender logo is just plain cool. The GT 86 goes on sale in the UK next June. We’ll be on hand in Tokyo for the official reveal at the end of the coming week, with plenty more then. In the meantime, peruse the photo gallery, then hit the jump for a video and the full press release.

Filed under: Spy Photos , Coupe , Performance , Toyota Is this the standard production version of the Toyota FT-86 / Scion FR-S? Sure looks like it. Another set of brochure shots acquired by the FT-86 forum shows a plainer version of the new rear-drive sports car in red, in contrast to the white Modellista brochure shots from a few days ago. The interior images are the same as before, but the exteriors diverge in a few areas: the production version doesn’t appear to have LED accents by the headlights, the skirting is softer around the car, a conventional whip antenna replaces the shark fin on the roof, and there’s optional vent ornamentation for the front fenders. Opinion seems to be divided on whether Toyota has gone too far with certain elements of the car or, after years of gestation, if didn’t go far enough. We don’t have much longer to wait until the real thing takes a deep bow at the Tokyo Motor Show , but is this what you’ve been waiting for? Standard Toyota FT-86 / Scion FR-S revealed? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 30 Oct 2011 09:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: Spy Photos , Scion , Subaru , Toyota Spy Shots: Subaru Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery Judging by the recent influx of spy shots, Toyota is working hard, fine-tuning its upcoming Scion FR-S sports car. Now, we’re finally getting a look at the Subaru version. Spy photogs snapped the two-door Subie undergoing some road testing. The style is similar to the Scion we’ve been seeing , but the Subaru appears to get a different front-end treatment. Though most of the important bits and pieces are well-covered by all the swirly graphics, the spy photographers did manage to grab a shot of the interior of the coupe. A paddle shifter is clearly visible , and we hope to eventually spy a version with a manual transmission as well. Check out all of the spy shots of the Subaru coupe by clicking through the gallery below. Subaru’s RWD sports car caught wearing same outfit as Toyota sibling originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 May 2011 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: Concept Cars , Spy Photos , Coupe , Budget , Performance , Scion , Subaru , Toyota 2013 Toyobaru – Click above for high-res image gallery These shots appear to be of the Subaru version of the planned, talked-about, redesigned, and talked-about-some-more 2013 Scion FR-S /Toyota FT-86/ Toyobaru . According to our reader spy, this version was wearing Subaru distributor plates, pretty much giving away its true identity. While the heavy camo does a great job obscuring the a good look at the car, and the shots are taken from a distance, it looks like the Subaru coupe will sport slightly more understated lines than its stablemate at Scion. Toyobaru spotted on the 405? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 May 2011 18:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink